ANG MANANAMPALATAYANG GUMAGAWA (AMG)

CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON GENDER POLICY

I. INTRODUCTION

A. ORGANIZATIONAL PHILISOPHY ON GENDER

Gender equality is a fundamental right of every individual; it is the roadmap for equality between men
and women.
This refers to the socially and culturally constructed differences between men and women; as distinct
from sex which refers to their biological differences. The social constructs vary across cultures and time.

AMG Phil. is committed itself to strengthen gender mainstreaming in the open scheme of direction for
societal protection and to provide a policy manual to actors involved in the process. The organization
proactively initiates to allow all individuals to fully achieve their potential without the interference of
gender-based bias, inequity or injustice.
The Bible shows that neither the man nor the woman has a special advantage in being a Christian. Christ
does not choose men in preference to women, or relate to men more directly.

For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 4:28) it is true that women are dependent upon men, yet it
is equally true that men are dependent upon women.

“Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord”
(1 Corinthians11:11)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye
are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

They are “heirs together to the grace of life” (1Peter3:7)

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them.

B. RATIONALE

Gender is the culturally-specific set of characteristics that explains the social behavior of women and
men and the RELATIONSHIP between them. Gender therefore refers not simply to women or men,
but to the relationship between them, and the way it is SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED.
• Gender attributes differ from society to society, and change over time.
• Gender attributes are shaped by the economy, by religion, by culture and by traditional values.

AMG-CDP staff and volunteer function as care givers for the sponsored children through its child care
centers situated in different areas all over the Philippines intentionally created this manual aiming to be
a useful tool for the effective implementation of the principle of equality between women and men in
policies on social inclusion and social protection. It describes the gender mainstreaming method in
general and provides some practical guidance for each policy strand as to:
  Policies & programme endeavour to create equal outcomes for men and women.
 Explain the concepts of gender awareness & sensitivity
 Identify gender concerns which need awareness,
 Describe approaches and methods used in creating gender awareness


II POLICY STATEMENT

AMG- CDP acknowledges that people are born female or male as God created them to be, And that they
should be taught what appropriate behaviour and attitudes, roles and activities are for them, and how
they should related to other people. This learned behaviour is what makes up gender identity, and
determines gender roles and responsibilities. Gender roles vary greatly from one culture to another and
from one social, political, and economic group to another within the same culture. The program created
a policy to:

1. To eliminate inequalities and to promote equality between women and men in all its activities.
2. Understand how gender roles are changed from society to society.
3. Building awareness and establishing a structural and cultural basis for equal opportunities.
4. To be in charge of giving guidance on how to integrate the gender dimension in the lesson.
5. Understanding Gender Role (role, equality, responsibility, values)
6. Gender awareness and sensitivity (homosexuality, same sex marriage)
7. Safety (Media, environment, Peer groups & Family
8. Conduct counselling and referrals if possible

III DEFINITION OF TERMS

Gender
This refers to the socially and culturally constructed differences between men and women; as distinct
from sex which refers to their biological differences. The social constructs vary across cultures and time.

Sex
Sex refers to the biological and physiological differences between males and females as determined by
nature. It is God-given, universal and non-changeable.

Social construction of gender

Refers to how society values and allocates duties, roles and responsibilities to women, men, girls and
boys. This differential valuing creates the gender division of labour and determines differences in access
to benefits and decision making which in turn influences power relations and reinforces gender roles.
This is done at various levels of gender socialization including family, religion, education, culture, peers
and the media

Gender and culture

Culture refers to people’s way of life, systems of beliefs, values, rituals, interaction patterns and
socialization which determine attributes, roles, responsibilities, and expectations in a society. It
determines what the society wants and expects from women, men, girls and boys. It defines the status
and power relations between women, men, girls and boys. Gender concerns are as a result of cultural
context and socialization in society. Examples of these are:
 Preference for a boy to a girl child
 Heir to property
 Naming systems
 Initiation ceremonies
 Marital practices
 Gender based violence

Gender awareness
Is the understanding that there are socially determined differences between men and women based on
learned behaviour, which affect ability to access and control resources.

Gender roles
Gender roles are reflected in activities ascribed to men and women on the basis of perceived differences
which are reinforced through the gender division of labour. This arises from the socialization of
individuals from the earliest stages of life through identification with specific characteristics associated
with being male or female.

Gender sensitivity
This is the ability to perceive existing gender differences, issues and equalities, and incorporate these
into strategies and actions.

Gender relations
It refers to social relationships between men and women within a specified time and place. These social
relationships explain the differences in power relations between the sexes

Gender stereotypes
Stereotypes are structured sets of beliefs about the personal attributes, behaviors, roles of a specific
social group. Gender stereotypes are biased and often exaggerated images of women and men which
are used repeatedly in everyday life; the assigning of roles, tasks and responsibilities to a particular sex
policy on the basis of pre-conceived prejudices.

Gender division of labour

It relates to the different types of work that men and women do as a consequence of their socialization
and accepted patterns of work within a given context.

Gender equity
Is the process of being fair to women and men. To ensure fairness, measures must often be available to
compensate for historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise
operating on a “level playing field.”

Gender equality
Is the absence of discrimination on the basis of a person’s sex in authority, opportunities, allocation of
resources or benefits and access to services. It is therefore, the equal valuing by society of both the
similarities and differences between men and women, and the varying roles that they play.

Gender-Based
Refers to any act of violence that results in, or is likely to Violence result in physical, sexual or
psychological harm or suffering to women, girls, boys and men on the basis of gender

Gender analysis
This is the process of examining roles and responsibilities or any other situation in regard to women and
men; boys and girls, with a view to identifying gaps, raising concern and addressing them; investigating
and identifying specific needs of girls and boys, women and men for policy and programme
development and implementation.

Gender issue
This is a point of gender inequality that is undesirable and therefore an intervention. It results from
some form of gender discrimination or oppression. A gender issue arises when there is inequality,
inequity or differentiated treatment of an individual or a group of people purely on the basis of social
expectations and attributes of gender. Gender issues are sometimes called gender concerns.

Gender practical needs / interests

These are needs related to the roles of reproduction, production and community work of men and
women which, when met, do not necessarily change their relative position/condition in society, which
arise from the gender roles.

Gender strategic needs / interests

Refers to higher level of needs of women and men which, when met, help change their status in society.
Examples of such needs are decision making and access to information.

Gender sensitivity
This is the ability to perceive existing gender differences, issues and equalities, and incorporate these
into strategies and actions.

Gender responsiveness
This is planning and implementing activities that meet identified gender issues/concerns that promote
gender equality

Gender transformation
It describes a situation where women and men change their way of thinking from patriarchal towards a
gender equality perspective

Gender mainstreaming
It is the process of integrating a gender equality perspective into the development process at all stages
and levels. Gender mainstreaming is a strategy for the achievement of gender equality.

Gender Discrimination
Refers to unequal or preferential treatment of individuals or groups on the basis of their gender that
results in reduced access to/ or control of resources and opportunities

Advocacy
This is an on-going process aimed at changing of attitudes, actions, policies and laws by influencing
people and organizations with power, systems and structures at different levels for the betterment of
those affected by the advocacy issue

Lobbying
It refers to the art of persuading and influencing other people to see things/issues your way.
Lobbying is a strategy within advocacy.

Forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)

Sexual and Gender Based Violence is any form of action directed against someone on the basis of
his/her gender or sex roles. Such action may be physical, sexual or psychological violence. SGBV violates
universal human rights protected by international instruments and conventions.

Causes of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

Sex and Gender-based violence is rooted in the structural unequal power relations between men and
women in society. These unequal power relations are at the centre of subordination and inhibit
opportunities for development. Some of the institutions that reinforce the cycle of violence are state
policies and laws, an inequitable justice system, educational institutions, the media, family, the new
economic global order, culture, religion and patriarchy which prevail in all segments of society.